In the book "Unlocking the Power of Meditation," Craig Hamilton argues that traditional meditation techniques, while beneficial, are often misunderstood and can be ineffective in achieving true enlightenment. He proposes a new approach called "direct awakening," which involves practicing specific inner postures and ways of being to access awakened consciousness directly. In the book, he outlines people's common meditation mistakes and how to avoid them, while his audio lecture explores the core principles of direct awakening.

The Practice of Direct Awakening is described as a new approach to meditation that differs significantly from traditional techniques. Here are some key distinctions:

• Direct Access to Awakened Consciousness: The core principle of the Practice of Direct Awakening is the ability to directly access and experience awakened consciousness in the present moment. Traditional meditation methods often focus on practices like mantra repetition, breathwork, or cultivating mindfulness, which are seen as preparatory steps toward an eventual awakening experience that may or may not occur in the future. Direct Awakening suggests that enlightenment is not a future goal but an already existing reality that can be accessed now.
• Practicing "Being Awake": The emphasis is on practicing the qualities and attributes of awakened consciousness itself, rather than engaging in practices designed to induce a future awakening. This involves embodying the natural tendencies of awakened awareness such as fluidity, flexibility, openness, ease, non-attachment to thoughts and feelings, and non-reactivity to circumstances. Traditional practices often center around techniques to quiet the mind, control thoughts, or achieve specific meditative states [3], which are seen as indirect paths to awakening.
• Shifting the Goal to the Present Moment: Direct Awakening encourages practitioners to abandon the future-oriented mindset common in traditional meditation where the goal is to achieve a state of enlightenment sometime in the future [7, 8]. It argues that such a perspective can hinder progress as awakening can only be experienced in the present moment. The practice focuses on cultivating an enlightened way of being right now instead of striving toward a future ideal.
• Embracing All Experiences: Direct Awakening proponents suggest that no experience, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or circumstances, is an obstacle to enlightenment. The practice encourages embracing all experiences without resistance or judgment, recognizing that awakened consciousness is not dependent on achieving a specific mental or emotional state. This contrasts with traditional approaches that often focus on achieving a quiet mind or eliminating negative thoughts and emotions.
• Not Limited to a Single Technique: While traditional meditation often involves adhering to a specific technique for extended periods, the Practice of Direct Awakening emphasizes the importance of incorporating a variety of approaches to keep the practice fresh and avoid stagnation. This allows practitioners to explore different gateways into awakened awareness and develop a broader understanding of its multifaceted nature.

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